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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Systemwide Strategic Plan Town Hall; Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m.

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Please join me, President Gabel, and other senior leaders from across the system on Friday, April 3, for a Zoom Systemwide Strategic Plan Town Hall.
 
  • Systemwide Strategic Plan Town Hall, Friday, April 3, 1-2 p.m.
  • Please complete this Zoom webinar registration if you are able to attend
  • You may submit questions beforehand
  • Participants will also be able to submit live questions to a moderator during the meeting
  • Learn more about the Systemwide Strategic Plan Commitments and Goals for Friday’s meeting, leadership is specifically interested in action items from participants as a next step in the conversation

While recognizing that we are currently in uncharted territory with the Coronavirus, we still need to move forward with this important strategic initiative. I hope you are able to join the Zoom video meeting as your schedule allows. 

Sincerely,
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Friday, March 27, 2020

UMD COVID-19 Updates and Resources

Dear Faculty and Staff,


I am proud of how our campus community has pulled together and remained helpful in a critical time of need. For example, donations to healthcare facilities include donated swabs and N-95 masks from Health Services and gloves from our athletic trainers, scientific labs, and Communication Sciences & Disorders Department. Our faculty are using their research and expertise to assist with coronavirus responses and self-isolation support, and many other encouraging actions from our campus community. Watch this video to see some familiar faces and hear words of encouragement from our campus community

In other good news, UMD has surpassed our capital campaign fundraising goal. You may recall that our public goal was $120 million and we just reached $141.8 million. The goal was reached with many gifts from generous donors. One exceptional estate gift will go to support student scholarships. As with all estate gifts, we hope it is many, many years until this gift is fulfilled but knowing that an alum is willing to commit such an extraordinary future gift to their alma mater is something to celebrate. We anticipate a very different fundraising landscape over the rest of the campaign, which makes exceeding the goal early even more important. The campaign lasts until June 30, 2021.

Access to Campus - Extended Reduced Operations
As a reminder, UMD has implemented “extended reduced operations” until further notice. Campus and all other UMD facilities are closed to our campus community and the public. You should not be on campus unless you are one of the very limited faculty and staff who are officially designated as an “essential employee” and informed by your supervisor to be at work on site. If you are not one of these people, please do not return to campus during this time. It adds an extra burden and risk to the essential employees who need to be there to help support basic operations and for the remaining students still living on campus. With the exception of essential employees still working on campus, at this point you should all plan to work remotely until the end of the semester. I will keep you updated if and when the situation changes and we need to make adjustments.  

Student Information:
Vice Chancellor Lisa Erwin sent out a message to students last week with a useful Q&A that may help in your conversations with students. Today we sent a follow-up email to students with additional resources and information about supporting student wellbeing. Our staff in Housing and Residence Life, Dining Services, Health Services, and Facilities Management have done incredible work to ensure a smooth move-out and to develop a plan for providing care for our students who are living on campus. 

The other major student update is that undergraduate and graduate students are able to select a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grading option in their courses instead of the traditional A-F format if desired. This is an important decision and students are being encouraged to talk to their faculty and advisors for guidance before they decide. The due date for them to select S/N grading is April 30.

Faculty and staff will be provided information on the UMD Registrar Resources page. It will include all of the information provided to students and also include what we intend to be helpful considerations or perspectives for all staff and faculty who are providing instruction, advising, and general guidance to students. Registrar Carla Boyd will send out additional specifics when that information is ready and available for the community to begin using.

For your students who are adjusting to this new temporary reality, you can share a great reference on how to successfully adjust study habits during COVID-19. UMD Stores works with several publishers who are offering many free digital materials for students, learn more on the UMD Stores COVID-19 website.

ITSS:
  • Student computing: ITSS has been working with departments to leverage free software licensing from vendors, including Adobe Creative Cloud, Mathematica, and others.
  • Internet access off campus: review this list of Internet Service Providers. Individuals who have exhausted Internet and cellular solutions and still need access should contact the ITSS Help Desk. ITSS has installed outdoor wireless for drive-up use in Pay Lot G by Civil Engineering and Lot B by HCAMS.
  • We anticipate phishing and other types of malicious scams during this crisis and caution you to avoid clicking on links or responding to emails before confirming they are from trusted sources. Learn about defending against COVID-19 cyber scams.
  • For technology support, contact the Help Desk: call 218-726-8847 or email itsshelp@d.umn.edu.

Operational Updates:
We are looking ahead to summer to identify activities and programs that may be affected if this situation goes beyond the semester. Most of our summer courses are already online, which is useful for our academic persistence. 

Given the uncertainty in the construction job market, supply chains, and costs, we determined that it is best to postpone our Residence Hall and Dining Hall projects that were scheduled to start this spring. The projects are slated to be designed and a new timeline developed for construction.

The Office of Human Resources has implemented a hiring pause for all positions, meaning that any job postings or employment offers must be approved by campus leadership before proceeding. Approval will be limited to those positions that are essential and critical to maintain operations.

While the financial impact of this situation cannot be completely understood yet, we are working to track expenses and lost revenues. It is important to recognize that this impact will be substantial to the University System. We will work closely with our System partners to maintain the financial well being of our campus and continue to move forward. 

Other on-going COVID-19 information and resources:

Thank you all for your continued support and patience as UMD, like the rest of the world, works through this time of transition.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lendley C. Black

Chancellor

UMD COVID-19 Updates and Resources - Email to Students

Dear Students,

As you know, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a “stay at home” order beginning at 11:59 p.m.,today, March 27. We must do our best to follow this instruction. Just as you work to complete your studies in alternative formats, you can continue to access many student services, programs, and resources designed to support your academic success, health, and wellbeing.

Health Services and Counseling:
  • For medical or counseling information, appointments, and questions call 218-726-8155.
  • Health Services is not currently testing for COVID-19 and is open limited hours. Students are encouraged to call for appointment availability or to receive advice. Check the Health Services website for the latest updates.
  • Counseling Services is preparing to offer telehealth counseling, and in the meantime will continue to offer Clinical Consultation Appointments via telephone. Find updates on the Counseling Services website.

Academic Information:
You have probably already seen the email allowing undergraduate students to opt-in to Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory (S/N) grade options for spring semester and late spring semester starts (those courses that begin during the second half of the spring semester). This option is also being extended to all graduate students at UMD.

We continue to work with our University of Minnesota colleagues to implement this grading option process. Currently, we believe that the options will be operational beginning April 1 (and available through April 30). The UMD One Stop Student Services website will have specific information about S-N grading considerations, an FAQ and overview of how-to make the change per class. Students should not make decisions until this and more information from their colleges are available. There is no immediate need to make a decision, you will have until April 30, 2020. One Stop Student services will send an email to all students when the information is available. 
 
Learning remotely is a change and we want to ensure that you continue to be successful. Learn how to successfully adjust your study habits during COVID-19. UMD Stores works with several publishers who are offering many free digital materials for students, learn more on the UMD Stores COVID-19 website.

Staying Connected
  • Student organizations are here to help you stay connected with other students. The same tools you're using for class (Zoom, Hangouts/Meet, other G Suite tools) are great to connect with members of your student orgs, continue student org business, and stay in touch with your friends.
  • If you want to join a student organization, sign-in to BulldogLink for contact information.
  • Kirby Student Center staff are here to help with questions about student organizations, future events and meetings, and ways to connect.

Staying Well

Access to Campus - Extended Reduced Operations
As a reminder, UMD has implemented “extended reduced operations” until further notice. Campus is secured and not open to the general campus community or the public. Students should not be on campus unless you are a student living in campus housing, accessing Champ’s Cupboard, or have otherwise been approved to be on campus. 

Dining services locations are closed except to students who are living on campus and have a campus meal plan. Champ’s Cupboard is open and operating from the UMD Mailroom in the basement of the Darland Administration Building, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

ITSS Updates:

As a reference point for other questions you may have and services that are available to you, please review the Q&A from Vice Chancellor Lisa Erwin.

Additional COVID-19 information and resources:

Sincerely,

Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Lisa A. Erwin
Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students

Friday, March 20, 2020

Your grades. This important email pertains to how you will be graded this semester - Email to Students

Dear Bulldogs,
 
University of Minnesota System Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Karen Hanson has moved forward a change in academic policies that impact students at all University of Minnesota institutions. Specifically, the University of Minnesota is opening up spring semester courses to Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory options. The switch from A/F to S/N (Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory) grading option is consequential and needs to be considered by you. As you can see, undergraduate students can opt into S/N grading for any course, while graduate and professional program faculty must identify eligible courses for their students to opt in. S/N course grading basis will be accepted for major (and minor) requirements.

Pursuant to that I would like to alert you to two UMD deadlines as we implement the policy:

1) Graduate and professional program faculty must identify, with approval of the appropriate dean, and communicate (both to impacted students and the Registrar's Office) the courses eligible for graduates/professional students to opt into S/N grading by March 30, 2020.

2) ALL students must identify which courses they wish to have S/N grading options by April 15, 2020.

Students must perform at a C- grade or higher in order to earn an S grade. Anything below that will lead to an N posting on your transcript for the course and you will not receive credit for that course. We encourage all students to consult with their instructors and academic advisors before pursuing this S/N grade option.

Thank you and take care.

Fernando Delgado, Executive Vice Chancellor
Academic Affairs
UMD

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

A Time of Transition, Uncertainty, and Appreciation

Dear UMD Students, Faculty, and Staff:

COVID-19 continues to require us to move quickly, to modify how we conduct our university business, and to change how we live our lives. I recognize that the decisions and actions we have taken as a result of this coronavirus can cause uncertainty, disappointment, frustration, and anxiety. I am feeling it as well. I am also feeling an overwhelming appreciation for our campus community. Appreciation for the students who are being flexible with what the rest of the semester looks like for them. Appreciation for our faculty and staff who are working tirelessly to transform us quickly into a remote learning and services environment where possible, while also focusing on keeping our campus community safe.

I am encouraged by how the UMD campus community has pulled together, supported each other, and found creative ways to get through this unexpected and unprecedented situation. Thank you very much. While we still don’t have all of the answers as things continue to change rapidly, I promise to do my part to provide the appropriate support structures when possible, and I ask for your continued participation, patience, and flexibility.

While campus is operational, our facilities are secured and all campus services are being delivered remotely with the exception of meals for resident students, Champ’s Cupboard, and the mailroom. We have moved our academic offerings and most of our student support and campus operations to a virtual environment. 

We are working across the University of Minnesota System and in close contact with System leadership, as I participate in daily video calls with President Gabel’s Emergency Management Policy Team. President Gabel has committed to regular messages (recent ones include March 17; March 16) to the entire System that serve as a primary source of information for you. Please let me know if you have questions about UMD-specific issues. Additional useful information can be found at:

I echo President Gabel’s call for kindness and compassion during this difficult time. This is truly a time for us to model our UMD core values of learning, discovery, engagement (in new ways), inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation, integrity, and excellence. 

We will get through this together and we will be stronger in the end. Please take care of yourself and be well.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Friday, March 13, 2020

UMD COVID-19 Update - Email to Students

Dear Students,

You have received several emails from President Gabel with important news about the University’s plans to respond to the growing COVID-19 epidemic. Her communications archive may be found toward the bottom of the University of Minnesota Safe Campus page. I’m following up with information specific to UMD.

Courses
President Gabel has suspended instruction, and effectively extended spring break. Instruction will resume on March 18 (in non-face-to-face modes). We recognize that some learning experiences will be more difficult than others under alternative instructional methods, but we are working on as many solutions as possible. Your health and wellbeing are very important to us, so we will continue to work diligently at keeping our campus community safe and finding ways to continue your courses, UROP experiences, etc. Currently, non-face-to-face instruction will continue to at least April 1.

If Possible, Stay Home
We are strongly encouraging students to stay home and continue their studies online and in the other ways faculty make available. This is very important. Bringing students together in housing, dining, recreation, library facilities, etc. creates risk and we have learned that the two most important strategies for slowing down the spread of COVID-19 are aggressive hygiene and social distancing. 

Housing and Dining
It may not be possible for you to stay home, your home might be far away, or your Duluth place of residence may be your safest option. Housing facilities at UMD will be open for students and we plan to continue serving in our dining locations. We will keep you informed if changes to that plan are needed. 

Student Employment
We also recognize that many students rely on campus employment and we also know that many of our services and programs rely on student employees. Campus departments will be reaching out to their student employees over the next few days to make determinations about returning to work. 

We know you have many questions. President Gabel indicated that you may send questions to healthresponse@umn.edu. You may also send questions to vcsl@d.umn.edu, your faculty, and other service units as well.

Sincerely,
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Monday, March 9, 2020

COVID-19 Update from UMD to Parents/Family

Dear Bulldog parent/family member

I am writing with an update about UMD’s efforts in response to the public health concerns of the COVID-19 virus. We know our Bulldog parents and family members are important partners in supporting students.

First, I wanted to make sure you know about the University of Minnesota system’s Safe Campus website on COVID-19. This a resource for all five campuses of the University of Minnesota and the site will be updated continuously as the response to COVID-19 evolves, following the guidance from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health. It is a great advantage for our Duluth campus to be part of the University of Minnesota system, as this provides us access to many resources and support systems.

As is a best practice in higher education, we have an Emergency Operations Plan that includes a section on pandemic flu. Our Emergency Management website has more information and a specific tab at the top of the page for Health. We are actively reviewing those plans and a number of meetings are happening across campus as preparations are underway.

Our Health Services staff are actively monitoring information from the Center for Disease Control, the Minnesota Department of Health, and our local St. Louis County Department of Health. Regular consultation is occurring with the Twin Cities Health Emergency Response Office as well as our two local hospital systems.

Finally, you’ll note that links to Twin Cities campus and system communications are provided on the Safe Campus site. My communications are available in the Chancellor's communications archive, and this includes my most recent email to students in advance of spring break. If your students have returned home for break, I hope you will encourage them to pay attention to messages from the university and practice the good health habits that are widely promoted. In the meantime, please continue to monitor the Safe Campus website for the latest information for you and your students.

If you have questions, please contact our Student Life office - 218.726.8501 or vcsl@d.umn.edu

Sincerely


Lendley C. Black
Chancellor

Friday, March 6, 2020

Spring Break Travel & COVID-19

Dear Students,

On spring break next week, I hope that you are able to get some rest and rejuvenate before we round out the rest of the semester.

For those of you who might be traveling over spring break and in light of the latest updates on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), here are tips to help you stay healthy and safe.
 
  • Stay up to date on Center for Disease Control and Prevention updates and recommendations regarding the Coronavirus. Conditions could change while you are traveling and could complicate return logistics.
  • Before leaving, notify a family member or friend to share destination and contact information.
  • While traveling, take steps to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus by practicing good hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands. For a fun tip to ensure you wash them long enough, this article has alternatives to singing “Happy Birthday” for 20 seconds, including Minnesota’s own Lizzo and Prince.
  • View the University’s FAQ for more information. 

Please remember that the risk to the general public and campus community remains low. If you have questions about COVID-19, please contact Health Services.

Flu vaccine is also still available at Health Services and local primary care clinics. If you have not been vaccinated, please consider doing so to protect yourself and others from influenza. 

Enjoy your break and see you back on campus soon.

Sincerely,
 
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor